Fort Fincastle Nassau Reviews

I was following the tour of Nassau outlined by Jamal and his book from the library in West Palm Beach and the next site was the little Fort Fincastle overlooking the town from Bennet's Hill. The most impressive part about this little fort was the history about how it was built. The entrepreneur on this project was Lord Dunmore in around 1793; he named the fort after his second title, Viscount Fincastle.

In a letter to the Secretary of State of February 17, 1794, he describes it as "a battery upon a hill in this island to the Eastwards of the Government House mounting two 24 pounders, two 32 pounder Carronades, two 12 pounders, and one Howitzer, which not only covers the Battery in Hog Island (Paradise Island) but all the Town and Road to the Eastward where the enemy might probably have effected a landing."

The fort is shaped like a paddle steamer and it must be one of the oddest forts that I ever have seen. The greys stoned fort was constructed of cut limestone that was produced by 600 slaves that for years were cutting them out of the place called the Queen’s Staircase.

Standing at the top of the Fort's balcony affords the visitor a grandiose panoramic view of the whole of the Island of Nassau. One is also able to take in the full extent of the culture at this particular sight, mainly because you get to see the Water Tower which is the tallest building on the Island, a small local straw market where one is able to buy souvenirs, climb the 66 steps which was built from out of the actual wall by the slaves by hand, the National Hospital and just down the street, the National Museum. All of these places are very affordable to visit costing no more than $5.00 or less, and in some instances free. Souvenirs cost of course!

Fort Fincastle was constructed in 1793 under the direction of Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of the Bahamas. It was named after the Governor's second title, Viscount Fincastle, and was the last major Nassau fortification built by the British. Nassau had been recently occupied by American and Spanish forces during the period of the American Revolution, and there was concern further attacks might occur. (Lord Dunmore had been colonial Governor of Virginia from 1771 to 1776.) The fort is at the top of Bennett's Hill, the highest point on New Providence Island.

Fort Fincastle is really more on the order of a coastal gun battery. But, it is one with a commanding view over Nassau and the harbor. The stone structure, built with one point of the traditional five-pointed star fortification design, is said to resemble the prow of a ship. Visitors may walk the grounds and walk up to the topmost observation platform. There are good photo opportunities here. The grounds have many historical markers to tell the story of colonial Nassau and its forts.

Admission is free, though guided tours are available for a fee. Near the fort are the 1928 concrete Water Tower and the 1793 Queen's Staircase leading up from town.

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